Great transformation on the dining area. I love the ceiling and the white color makes the view of the lake really stand out. Well done!

When islands first came out, I immediately fell in love with the concept. Some years ago, during a remodel, I was determined to put an island in our new kitchen, even though we didn't have enough clearance around it. "We're small people, we'll be fine," I said. Let me tell you, I grew to hate that island and that space, but we had spent a fortune on the remodel and I was stuck with it for years. I realize that what I had done was come up with a list of all the things I wanted in my dream kitchen and then forced them to fit in the space. It became my nightmare kitchen, not my dream kitchen. I advise you to let a KD look at the space and independently come up with a plan for what they see as the most beautiful and efficient use of your space. You might hate it at first glance because it is not going to have all your preconceived wishes built in. But live with it a week or two. Keep looking over it and just gently tweak it to make it yours. I bet you'll come up with a better kitchen that you truly love. I personally think the sketches of the peninsula island are killer, but you guys are the ones paying for this, so that is up to you. P. S. My husband and I are now empty nesters. We started thinking about that kitchen (and other issues in our house). What if one of us ends up in a wheelchair down the road? Or using a walker? We could NEVER navigate around that island. We ended up building a new house next door on our farm. That old house is getting ready to be demolished. Finally, when you come to a forum like this, make sure you really do want advice, and that you're not merely seeking validation for what you already plan to do. Because these professionals are always going to shine a light on your potential mistakes and bad ideas. Here's hoping you get the kitchen of your dreams and love it for years to come!

IMO a MCM type house so do not paint the brick but maybe go a dark color for the rest like a dark gray if you want to play up the mCM if you are less into that I would choose agrayed green or sgae for the siding NO shutters for either choice . A new garage door with some glass and a new front door get a steel one no starom door and if you want a screen get a Phantom. This is my fave if the MCM look is something you would like . Even the landscaping would be grat with that yard. This house does not have the brick but you get the idea

You have a ranch home with “colonial” features. Very common in the 1960s. Although built in mid century, it does not have characteristics of those homes labeled MMC. Its gables, fenestration, siding, etc. are, as you say, more cottage style. If you like yellow, try a softer yellow like BM “Hawthorne” yellow. Crisp white trim. Blue shutters where appropriate. And invest in landscaping, including a cottage garden, to enhance your lively home!

There are some great suggestions for dark colors and yellows in this thread. What about greens or taupes?

This is a color similar to Benjamin Moore’s Nicolson Green.

or a darker green:

Couple of options that may work (amd brick can be tricky to match. If you can, get a designer to visit your house and suggest a color, your painter may be able to suggest someone they’ve worked with).